Self-locking snap fastener stud



Aug, 23, 1932. I w JONES 1,873,893

SELF LOCKING SNAP FASTENER STUD Filed Feb. 15, 1932 Waiierlkfonec, b

.flfiy Patented Aug. 23, 1932 WALTER r. JONES, or ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR To UNITED-CARR FASTENEB C ORPORATION, MASSACHUSETTS OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION" OF SELF-LOCKING SN FASTENER STUD Application filed. February 15, 1932. Serial No. 592,899.

I ferred embodiment of my invention Figure 1 is an enlarged section through an installation showing one form of device embodying my invention; I

Fig. 2 is a plan view of aportion of a structure to which my improved fastener is applied and showing the shank. of the stud locked in position against axial withdrawal;

Fig. 3 is an end view of. the fastener shown in Figure 1; n

Fig. 1 is an under side plan view of the fastener shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the structure shown in Fig. 2, but showing the relation of the portions of the shank of the fastener during the operation of attaching the fastener to the supporting structure.

My invention relates particularly to the idea of providing simple locking means as an integral part of a fastener stud whereby fasteners may be constructed for use with structures of various thicknesses and which will lock the fastener in place against accidental removal.

While the illustrated device is of a specific type, it should be understood that the invention is equally useful with any type of fastener device having two yieldable arms adapted to make snap fastening engagement with a socket or other suitable structure, Fasteners adapted for use with my invention are now well known in the art. My invention provides a simple and efiicient locking means whereby the movable arms, forming the shank of a stud, are locked in engagement withthe socket or other suitable structure especially against axial disengagement. The locking" means is so constructed that the fastener may be easily and quickly engaged with the socket or other structure by a simple twisting action which, during the attaching operation, movesv the arms apart in a transverse direction, as best illustrated in Fig. 5.

Referring now to the device illustrated, I have shown a conduit or like holding member which is made from a single piece of sheet metal bent to provide a base 1 which is more or less hook-shaped to permit insertion of a conduit 2 which may be a pipe, wire orthe like. The fastening means is so constructed as that a pair of yieldable fingers or arms 33 are formed from the blank and extend from the base 1 as illustrated. These fingers 3-3 comprise astud shank and are arranged, preferably, in such a manner that one is opposite (I'll to the other so that they may, abut when moved toward each other a predetermined 3 distance. The outer edges 1- 1 are shaped to ,converge relative toeach other from the base 1 and then diverge toward each other at their free ends, thereby providing means for guiding and holding the shank in engagement with a structure such as the part 5 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The arms 33 pass through the aperture 6 in the part 5 and engage the wall surrounding the aperture as illustrated. Since the edges 4-4 diverge for a substantial distance (Fig. 3), the shank is adapted to engage parts of difierent thickw nesses.

ll have found it desirable to lock certain types of fasteners against removal by direct axial movement and in the structure illustrated by the locking means (Figs. 2 and 3) comprises an abutment 7 formed on each of the arms 3-3 adjacent to its free end. Thus when the arms 33 are brought together sufficiently to contact the portions 7-7 further movement of the arms is prevented. Since the space between the portions 77 is as shown at A in Fi 2, and the combined distance oi? B and (l is much grhater, the arms cannot contract suficiently to permit them to be removed from the installation by @0 direct axial pull.

In order. that the fastener maybe attached to the part 5, the arms 3T3 are adapted to move away from each other when the arms I are inserted into the aperture 6 and the fastener is given a twist at the same time tha pressure :is' applied. During the inserting action the edges- 4-4 of the arms engage Boo urf

other out of a common plane, thereby mov 'ing the ahutments 7'( out of ah i went and permitting a scissors-like action of the arms as they are pressed into the aperture After the fastener is inserted the arms 33 assume the positions shown in Fig, 2S

llt is"loelieved that those skilled in the art 'vvill Understand that the locking feature ot a plicants invention is particularly desir m a lo and that it is adaptedto fasteners for other uses. lt will also he understood that the fastener may he removed loy a pulling and twisting action.

While 11 have illustratedrand described a All preferred embodiment of my invention, 1 do p 551 spring arms formed from a'sheet metal blank,

not wish to he limited therehy, hecanse the scope of my'invention ishest defined hy the following claims (llaims:

l. A fastener stud memher having a hose portionpa shank extendingfrom said lease comprising a pair of opposed yieldahl'e arms having outer edges shaped to malre snap fasteningengagement with a cooperating stud receiving means to hold the fastener in place, said arms having inner edges in the same vertical plane and having portions adapted to engage-upon limited movement of the arms te'raeea A sheet metal fastener of the snap fastener portion of its tree end adapted to abut and provide cooperating stops to prevent removal of the stud from the socket means by direct axial movement, and said arms being adapted to move out of the plane of each other to permit the stop portions to pass each other during attacent of the fastener to the socket means;

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification WALTER llfJQNlilS.

toward each other thereby preventing disenagement or engagement of the fastener hy' direct arialmovement relative to the studreceiving means but heing adapted to he moved out of engaging relation hy twisting movement of said fastener when being pressed into engagement with thestud-re ceiving means.

2. A sheet'metal fastener oil the snap tas toner type having a shank comprising two spring arms formed from a sheet metal blank, w 'a hase from which said arms extend at substantially a right angle, said arms ha'vin their outer edges shaped to converge an 7 then diverge to provide means for snap taste'ning engagement withsuitable socket fimeans, locking means provided on said arms and adapted to cooperate to prevent removal of the shank from the socket means by direct axial movement, and said-arms losing flat and in' the same plane edgewise therehyto provide for said locking means acting when said arms are placed under strain by axial movement of the fastener.

3., A sheet metal fastener of the snap fastener type having a shankflcomprising two a hose from which said arms extend at substantially a right angle and in the same eneral plane, said arms having their outer e ges shaped to'oonverge and then diverge to pro-, vide means for. snap fastening engagementv with suitahlesocket means,and each of said arms havin an abutment portion at its free end to provide cooperating stops adapted to ahut and prevent remoi'al of the stnd from the socket means by direct axial movement.

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